T400: Replace CCFL lamp or whole LCD?

Hi everybody,
So my CCFL lamp on my T400 has pretty much died. I'm pretty sure it's not the inverter card due to the pink hue towards the bottom & the (lowering) hissing noise before the LCD shuts off. First noticed it would die pretty soon when the screen started flickering on dim settings.
At first I started to look for LCD assemblies (I have the Samsung panel one, LTN141WD-L05) , then told myself-dumb me! why not just replace the lamp (or both, since we there) since my LCD's doing just fine.
But then some people versed in laptops in general (but none had ever changed CCFL lamps before) told me I was better off changing the LCD assembly all together, since replacing the lamps is apparently a daunting & nerve wracking task. I'm not scared myself in replacing the whole LCD-I've change the LCD cover of a previous ThinkPad before and have disassembled this one countless times, including changing the CPU heatsink/fan unit-although never reaching the point of removing the LCD bezel (I did came close, when I had to check the hinges-but that's another story). And then, I don't think CCFL lamps are FRUs, and the HMM sure doesn't go into that territory.
So, my question:
Has anybody ever changed CCFL lamps in a ThinkPad/other laptop? Is there even a guide out there ? (I'm still searching around for one)
Oh, and by the way, yes, my T400 is out of warranty (bought it in 2009, extended warranty expired in 2012)
Another detail: I live in Montreal, Canada, and I'd be happy to have it done by some local shop that would have competence in this. I mention local, because if I had to ship it I think I'd rather buy & have myself shipped a whole LCD unit instead. So I'm supposed to call tomorrow to my local Lenovo service center & a few approved service provider (from Lenovo's website) to inquire about their prices **and** turn-around time (again, if it takes a month I'd do either one of the repairs myself)
Thanks in advance, any feedback will be appreciated.
Edit: There's actually only one CCFL lamp in the LTN141WD-L05.
ThinkPad T400 (2764-CTO): Windows 7 64 SP2 / T9400 2.53 GHz / 8GB RAM / 14.1" WXGA+ (1440x900) / ATI Radeon HD 3470 + Intel 4500MHD (switchable) / 320GB 7200rpm / DVD±RW / Intel WiFi 5300
Past models: T40 (2373-PM1), 760C; other brands
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johnwait wrote
So, my question:
Has anybody ever changed CCFL lamps in a ThinkPad/other laptop? Is there even a guide out there ? (I'm still searching around for one)
Hissing comes from the inverter. Redness from the CCFL. Both must be replaced.
Having changed a CCFL myself on a T30 many years ago I swore never to do it again, and would advise everyone else to just flip the screen or an entire assembly. The chances of introducing dust specs between the LCD layers in the process of swapping the bulb are just way too high for my liking, and that's only one of the problems.
Secondly, Samsung screens are in general a horror show to change the CCFL on, regardless of the generation.
Lastly, T400 panels are rather inexpensive nowadays...
If you insist on a guide, here's the best one there is, at least in my opinion:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=88991
Good luck.
Cheers,
George
In daily use: R60F, R500F, T61, T410
Collecting dust: T60
Enjoying retirement: A31p, T42p,
Non-ThinkPads: Panasonic CF-31 & CF-52, HP 8760W
Starting Thursday, 08/14/2014 I'll be away from the forums until further notice. Please do NOT send private messages since I won't be able to read them. Thank you.

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Hello rareperson, welcome to Lenovo forums.
That´s the CCFL lamp in your LCD screen, dimm the display brightness down, then the screen will cool down.
Same situation and no issue here on my R60 with CCFL display lamp.
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Message Edited by wjl_77382 on 07-29-2009 10:27 PM
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That is correct. The lack of "LED" specification indicates it is in fact a CCFL backlit panel.
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In daily use: R60F, R500F, T61, T410
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Starting Thursday, 08/14/2014 I'll be away from the forums until further notice. Please do NOT send private messages since I won't be able to read them. Thank you.

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T400: Replace CCFL lamp or whole LCD?

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